Natural History Books - Balch - Wookey Hole Its Caves and Cave Dwellers

Group comprising: Smeaton, Oliphant, The Treasure Cave of the Blue Mountains, nd; pictorial cloth; WITH Souvenir of New South Wales Blue Mountain Scenery, Series No.2, nd; pictorial wraps, illustrated; WITH Souvenir of Our Visit to the Blue Mountains, nd; lettered wraps, illustrated; WITH Bechervaise, John, Blue Mountains Sketchbook, Rigby, 1971; cloth with dustwrapper, illustrated; WITH Booker, Jo, A Pictorial History of the Blue Mountains, nd, pictorial wraps, illustrated; WITH Watkins, Paul, A Portrait of the City of Blue Mountains, RBA, 1988, cloth with dustwrapper, illustrated. 1.76 kg total, 19 x 12.2 - 32 x 23.7 cm

Generally good to fine condition.

The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.

Westall, William, Views of the Caves near Ingleton, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove, John Murray, London, 1818 (only edition); modern half calf with marbled boards by Period Binders, Bath (1985); 8 pp. text to accompany the 12 superb plates (modern tissue guards) captioned: Dovecote Gill Cave (south entrance), Entrance to Yordas Cave, Yordas Cave (looking towards entrance), Stalactites in Yordas Cave, Trees Above Weathercote Cave, Waterfall in Weathercote Cave, Weathercote Cave, Weathercoate Cave (from south side), Gatekirk Cave (looking from north entrance), Malham Cove, Approach to Gordale and Gordale Scar; most plates include human figures for scale; with collector record cards giving full details. 1.01 kg, 39.5 x 27.5 cm

Fine condition. Rare and a classic work.

Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, October 1984. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by hand-written record cards from Mr and Mrs PR.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.

Garnett, J., Garnet's Itinerary with Illustrations and a Description of the Caves also the Scenery on the N W Railway from Skipton to Morecambe Bay, Garnet, 1852; original pictorial card with spine reinforced; 92 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamp to title and inked manuscript annotations to title reverse by Simpson. 92 grams, 18 x 11.5 cm

Good condition; covers soiled and spine tape worn. Rare.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. Acquired Miss C M Rawdin, 1982. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by a hand-written record card from Mr and Mrs PR.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.